[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR1000.31]

[Page 15-16]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
             CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
 
PART 1000--COMMISSION ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  1000.31  Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.

    The Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, which is managed by the 
Associate Executive Director for Laboratory Sciences, is responsible for 
conducting engineering analyses and testing of consumer products, 
supporting the development of voluntary and mandatory standards, and 
supporting the Agency's compliance activities through product safety 
assessments. A wide variety of products are tested and evaluated to 
determine the causes of failure and the hazards presented. Product 
safety tests involve mechanical, electrical, and combustion engineering, 
as well as thermal and chemical analyses. Test protocols are developed, 
test fixtures and setups are designed and fabricated, and tests are 
conducted following the requirements and guidance of voluntary and 
mandatory standards and/or using sound engineering and scientific 
judgment. The Laboratory participates with and supports other agency 
directorates on multi-disciplinary teams in the development of voluntary 
and mandatory standards. The Laboratory coordinates and cooperates with 
other Federal agencies, private industry, and consumer interest groups 
by sharing engineering and scientific research, test, and evaluation 
expertise. Additionally, Corrective Action Plans, proposed by 
manufacturers to correct a product defect, are tested and evaluated to 
assure that the proposed changes adequately resolve the problem. 
Regulated products, such as children's products, sleepwear, and bicycle 
helmets, are routinely tested and evaluated for compliance with the 
Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the 
Flammable Fabrics

[[Page 16]]

Act, and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The Directorate is 
composed of the Mechanical Engineering Division, the Electrical 
Engineering Division (which includes flammable fabrics), and the 
Chemical Division. Overall, the directorate provides engineering, 
scientific, and other technical expertise to all entities within the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission.

[65 FR 53167, Sept. 1, 2000]